EDITORS NOTE

AND JUST LIKE THAT SPRING HAS SPRUNG AGAIN

Living in Wisconsin, winter is an event we prepare for every year. We pack up the patio furniture, winterize plants, get out the storm windows, have the fireplace inspected, throw a bag of cat litter in the trunk of the car, dig out the winter gear, tune up the snow equipment… the list goes on. But this year, it seemed all for not.

At the time I write this, I think the southern U.S. states have gotten more snow this winter than my small sliver of Wisconsin. It was nice to “take a winter off” this year. I get it, warm states. But now, here we are — March 20 marks the first day of spring and there’s plenty of work to be done preparing for the changing seasons.

Checklists

Who doesn’t love a good checklist? Well, some people don’t I guess, but checklists are a simple, powerful tool to keep professionals on task and make sure details aren’t overlooked. And @AliakseiSabelnikau-adobe.stock.com in this day of doing more with less, who couldn’t use a little help?

The most important checklist for a landscape professional right now is Spring Cleanup Preparedness. Here’s what it should cover: Spring Cleanup Preparedness Equipment: Look at your trucks, mowers, lawn tools, powered equipment and trailers. Make a note of what needs repair or replacement and make that expense now. A Maintenance Checklist is helpful here. Labor: The labor shortage remains an immense problem for the industry, so it’s important to look at the work you need to perform in the spring and recruit now. Crew Checklist: This comprehensive jobsite checklist ensures your crew(s) don’t overlook any details. Now is a good time to review and determine if revisions are needed. Scope of Work: Before you lock in your clients, go over your scope of services and update anything to clearly state what the customer should expect. What is your standard cleanup service vs. additional cost services? Don’t be afraid to offer bundled packages for higher margins. While this checklist isn’t an earth-shattering new idea, it is a reminder that sometimes the simplest idea can have a big impact on what you do, keeping you on task. It’s equally important to keep these checklists updated to your changing business and equipment mix. Should you determine it’s time for something new, we’re here to help. This month, Gigi Wood talked with manufacturers about what mowers are a good fit when you’re ready to take on more, and larger, jobs (pg.22). Take a look at this month’s Equipment & Technology column (pg.16), where Brant Kukuk from Ditch Witch discusses ways machines can help short-staffed landscapers. Lastly, Bryce Gill writes about battery-powered equipment taking the lead in the landscape industry (pg. 36). Prepare for spring and give yourself a leg up on success.

Published by AC Business Media

201 N. Main Street, 5th Floor Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544

Volume 34, Number 02 ADVERTISING

Brand Director ....................................................................Jason DeSarle jdesarle@acbusinessmedia.com Sales Representative ....................................................Megan Perleberg mperleberg@acbusinessmedia.com Sales Representative ...........................................................Sean Dunphy sdunphy@acbusinessmedia.com Sales Representative ...........................................................Nikki Lawson nlawson@acbusinessmedia.com Sales Representative .............................................................Kris Flitcroft kflitcroft@acbusinessmedia.com

EDITORIAL

Group Content Director.........................................................Jon Minnick jminnick@acbusinessmedia.com Associate Editor .................................................................Hannah Gooch hgooch@acbusinessmedia.com Assistant Editor ............................................................................Bryce Gill bgill@acbusinessmedia.com Staff Writer ....................................................................................Gigi Wood gwood@acbusinessmedia.com

CIRCULATION

Audience Development Manager ....................................Angela Franks

PRODUCTION

Senior Production Manager .................................................Cindy Rusch crusch@acbusinessmedia.com Art Director ..................................................................................Willard Kill wkill@acbusinessmedia.com

AC Business Media Chief Executive Officer .......................................................... Ron Spink Chief Financial Officer ................................................ JoAnn Breuchel Chief Digital Officer ....................................................... Kris Heineman Chief Revenue Officer ................................................... Amy Schwandt VP Audience Development .........................................Rhonda Hughes Director, Demand Generation & Education ....................Jim Bagan VP Operations ..................................................................... Nick Raether Group Content Director..................................................... Jon Minnick Change of Address & Subscriptions — P.O. Box 3605 Northbrook, IL 60065-3605 • (877) 201-3915 Fax: (847) 291-4816 • circ.greenindustrypros@omeda.com List Rental — Bart Piccirillo, Sr. Account Manager Data Axle • (518)339-4511 bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com Reprints & Licensing — Megan Perleberg mperleberg@acbusinessmedia.com

Green Industry Pros [USPS 003-763 and ISSN 2168-121X (print), ISSN 2168-1228 (online)] is published six times a year: January/February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September/October by AC Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Green Industry Pros, P.O. Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605.

Subscriptions: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the U.S. to qualified subscribers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscriptions. Subscription prices: U.S., $35 per year; Canada/Mexico, $60 per year; and all other countries, $85 per year. All subscriptions payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank. Back issues, if available, cost $10 prepaid. Printed in the USA. Copyright 2022 AC Business Media.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recordings or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

@greenindustrypros

@greenindustrypros

@greenindpros

www.youtube.com/GreenIndustryPros

BATTERY POWER. MADE BY STIHL. ƒ

GAME-CHANGING PERFORMANCE BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS

Part of the new STIHL professional battery 135 platform, the FSA 135 R battery-powered trimmer is a true industry game changer. With long run times and the same drive and cutting components used in proven STIHL gas-powered trimmers, the FSA 135 R delivers the same legendary quality, performance and durability you expect from STIHL, but with zero fuel costs and no exhaust emissions.

STIHL FSA 135 R is assembled in the United States. Attachments, batteries and chargers sourced internationally. ©2022 STIHL